President Droupadi Murmu Honors Pope Francis at Vatican Funeral, Reflecting Global Unity in Mourning
Vatican City, April 26, 2025 – President Droupadi Murmu joined a historic gathering of world leaders at St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday to pay her respects to Pope Francis, the beloved pontiff who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. Representing India, President Murmu laid a wreath in a moving tribute ahead of the Pope’s funeral Mass on Saturday, an event that has drawn global attention for its significance and the diverse assembly of dignitaries it has attracted.
Exclusive visuals from the Basilica captured the solemn moment as President Murmu stood before Pope Francis’s simple wooden coffin, a testament to his lifelong humility. Accompanied by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and George Kurian, as well as Goa Assembly Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza, the President was part of a poignant ceremony attended by Vatican clergy, Swiss Guards, and other international figures. The Ministry of External Affairs shared, “President Murmu paid homage to His Holiness Pope Francis, reflecting India’s deep respect for a global spiritual leader who championed peace and compassion.”
Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope, died following a cerebral stroke that led to heart failure, as confirmed by the Vatican. His papacy, which began in 2013, was marked by a focus on the marginalized, climate advocacy, and interfaith dialogue, earning him admiration worldwide but also stirring debate among conservative factions within the Church. His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief, with over 200,000 people expected to attend the funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square, despite his request for a modest ceremony.
Saturday’s funeral saw an extraordinary lineup of global leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spain’s King Felipe VI, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, underscoring Pope Francis’s influence over the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and beyond. Biden, who shared a personal bond with the Pope, had intended to honor him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier this year, a plan disrupted by wildfires in California. Trump, despite past tensions with Francis over issues like immigration, praised him as “a very good man” who cared deeply for the suffering, ordering U.S. flags to be lowered in his honor.
In a symbolic gesture, the Vatican arranged for 40 individuals—including the poor, homeless, prisoners, transgender people, and migrants—to form a guard of honor with white roses at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon. This act reflected his commitment to inclusivity, a hallmark of his papacy. His simple tomb, inscribed with “Franciscus,” was prepared in the Basilica, a place he visited over 100 times during his tenure to pray before the icon of the Virgin Mary.
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President Murmu’s participation highlighted India’s admiration for Pope Francis, who consistently promoted unity and understanding across faiths. Her presence, alongside other world leaders, painted a picture of global unity in mourning a leader whose legacy of compassion continues to resonate. As the funeral Mass concluded, Pope Francis’s final journey to Santa Maria Maggiore marked the end of a transformative era, leaving behind a powerful message of love, forgiveness, and care for the vulnerable that will inspire generations to come.
Stay tuned to Views Now for more updates on this historic event and its global impact
